Ian Troop, CEO of the 2015 Pan/Parapan American Games, today issued a statement regarding the decision by the City of Hamilton regarding the planned stadium for soccer (a refurbishment of the Ivor Wynne stadium is planned). While the majority of the statement concerns the stadium, Troop makes it clear that the construction of a permanent velodrome facility is also a priority for the Games infrastructure.

Full text of the statement:

TO2015 acknowledges receipt of the City of Hamilton's proposal for a new Pan Am soccer stadium, today February 1, 2011. The proposal, which has been ratified by Hamilton's City Council, now goes to TO2015's Board of Directors for review.

TO2015 is pleased the February 1 deadline spurred the City of Hamilton and their funding partners to come to a proposed solution.

TO2015 extends its thanks and acknowledges the city officials in the communities of Oshawa, Markham, Brampton and Mississauga for their consideration of our soccer stadium contingency plan.

As made clear in our statement of January, 13, 2011, the proposal from the City of Hamilton must also address and support the development of high performance amateur sport and athletics.

Hamilton now has the opportunity to provide a vibrant community and amateur sport legacy by putting the velodrome on the front burner. A permanent velodrome has always been part of Pan Am's venue plan for Hamilton and is an issue which still requires resolution. Our intent has always been to provide this world-class facility as part of the infrastructure revitalization plan for Hamilton.

Through our legacy of $700 million in community infrastructure, TO2015 hopes to transform the Greater Toronto Area and the Greater Golden Horseshoe via a footprint that encompasses 17 municipalities, 43 venues that includes five new builds and 22 refurbishments.